The anguished voice of a mother broke through the clamor of a community in turmoil as Kayla Hays spoke publicly for the first time since her son, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, was charged with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, also 17, at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The tragedy, which unfolded on April 2, 2025, at Kuykendall Stadium, has left two families shattered and a town grappling with grief, anger, and a deluge of misinformation. Hays, visibly burdened by fear and exhaustion, described a family under siege, targeted by death threats and online harassment that have forced them to live in hiding. Their home address and her husband’s workplace have been maliciously shared across social media, compelling him to take a leave of absence to ensure their safety. In a heartfelt plea, Hays urged the public to halt the spread of false narratives and allow her family to mourn in peace while navigating an unimaginable crisis.
The incident that sparked this wave of sorrow and vitriol occurred during a seemingly ordinary track and field championship for Frisco Independent School District schools. According to police reports, an altercation erupted in the bleachers when Metcalf, a junior at Frisco Memorial High School, asked Anthony, a student at Frisco Centennial High School, to leave a tent designated for his team. Witnesses recounted that Anthony, after being told to move, reached into his backpack and warned, “Touch me and see what happens.” When Metcalf attempted to physically move him, Anthony allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Despite frantic efforts by coaches, trainers, and first responders to save him, Metcalf succumbed to his injuries. His twin brother, Hunter, held him in his final moments, a devastating image that has haunted the community. Anthony, arrested at the scene, confessed to the act, telling officers, “I did it,” while claiming self-defense, a defense his legal team is now exploring.
The aftermath has been marked by an outpouring of grief for Metcalf, a beloved student-athlete known for his 4.0 GPA, leadership on the football field, and aspirations to play college sports. A crowdfunding campaign launched by his father, Jeff Metcalf, has raised over $316,000 to honor his memory. Yet, the tragedy has also ignited a firestorm of controversy surrounding a crowdfunding effort for Anthony’s legal defense, which has amassed nearly $415,000. The campaign, hosted on GiveSendGo, has drawn sharp criticism from those who argue it glorifies violence, while supporters, including Anthony’s family, insist it is a necessary response to a “false, unjust, and harmful” narrative. Hays firmly denied rumors that her family used these funds for luxury purchases, such as a new home or SUV, clarifying that they have not accessed any of the money. The proliferation of such falsehoods, alongside fabricated social media posts—including a fake autopsy report and impersonated police accounts—has deepened the pain for both families and fueled community division.
As the legal process unfolds, Anthony, who was released on a reduced $250,000 bond on April 14, 2025, remains under house arrest with an ankle monitor. His attorneys, citing his lack of criminal history and ties to the community, argue for a fair trial, while prosecutors prepare to counter claims of self-defense. The Collin County District Attorney has confirmed that Anthony, due to his age, will not face the death penalty or life without parole if convicted. Meanwhile, the Frisco Police Department continues its investigation, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that endangers lives. For Kayla Hays, the mother caught in this maelstrom, the priority is clear: protecting her family from further harm and seeking truth amid a tragedy that has forever altered countless lives.